Tree counter code simulator

ABSTRACT

Use of a tree counter for translating, storing and displaying Morse or similar code signals.

United States Patent 1191 7 BEST AVAILABLE 001.

Ramsey July 15, 1975 TREE COUNTER CODE SIMULATOR 3,041,397 6/1962 Ricks178/82 A 3,500,470 3/1970 Barker et al. [78/26 R [761 Invent: RbertRamsey, 2,626 3,643,254 2/1972 Proebsting 178/26 R Edge-o-Lake,Nashvllle, Tenn- 3,668,684 6/1972 Johnson et al. 178/26 R 372173,810,154 5/1974 Briant 178/26 R [22] Filed: Dec. 3, 1973 2 App] 420 35Primary Examiner-Thomas A. Robinson Attorney, Agent, or FirmAbe Hatcher[52] U.S. Cl 178/26 R; l78/l7.5; 178/82 A Y [51] Int. Cl. H03r 13/00;H041 3/00 [58] Field of Search... 178/26 R, 26 A, 82 R, 82 A, [571ABSTRACT 178/115; 340/347 DD, 324 R, 365 R; 35/5, 6

Use of a tree counter for translating, storing and dis- [56] ReferencesCited I playing Morse or similar code signals.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 19 Claims, 6'Drawing Figures 3,038,030 6/1962Murray 178/26 A CHARACTOR g g; OUTPUT Q I 33 DOT SWITCH 14 DOT 52 gg ff0100s V PRINTER 0- AND A COUNTER MATR|XF= 11 OR 3 O ROM CHARACTER DASHSWITCH DISPLAY PULSE PRINT PULSE y .1 7

SPACE PULSE 3 QPATENTEDJUL 1 CHARACTOR T i 4 DOT 2 OUTPUT gg 28 3 w DO 5[TCH 'NPUT E 5g DIODE PRINTER CONTROL PULFP I AND COUNTER MATRIX OR GPULSE 0R MULTI- W 2? ROM CHARACTER T DISPLAY DASH SWITCH 55% l PRINTPULSE g SPACE PULSE 7 Q DOT SWITCH GATED E H MULTI 8 VgKRATOR pm; [4 RHOT t ooTs 1 1 o a 2i MANGAL |e 23 g ifs: OR OR 5 DASH SWITCH GATEDMULTI- ON VIBRATOR o{ FOR- SHOT 15 DOT PULSE ZO oscu LATOR LSPEAKER 3PRINT PULSE RESET PULSE f SPACE PULSE MTENTEDJUL 15 1975 3.895185 DOTPULSE DASH PULSE RESET PULSE TREE COUNTER CODE SIMULATOR BACKGROUND OFTHE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to acommunications device suitable for use by handicapped persons. Moreparticularly, it relates to a system for sending, controlling andconverting telegraphic codes for visual character display.

2. Description of the Prior Art Conventional printing or display systemsusing binary type codes such as ASCII (American Standard Code forInformation Interchange) or a synchronous code, for example, a systemsuch as depicted in US. Pat. No. 2,840,637, require six bits or sixoperations for each character for a repertoire of 64 characters, or a 64character key board. Learning six elements for each character isdifficult. Furthermore, systems such as found in US. Pat. Nos.2,894,067; 2,996,577; 3,196,210, and 3,505,667 assume and require adegree of skill that is certainly greater than a novice or handicappedoperator can readily obtain. In addition, such systems would requireextensive and expensive alteration to be converted to a single-characterreadout. Also, the dot-dash detectors of prior art systems increasecomplexity and require low timing tolerances.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION After extended investigation, I have found asystem which has solved these problems. In its broadest aspect, myinvention involves use of a modified ring counter circuit for convertingMorse or similar code signals to characters and storing them so thatthey can be read on a scan panel or like board or display unit asdesired. The system which I employ uses two switches or inputs, therebyeliminating the need for dot-dash detection. A further advantage of mysystem is that a handicapped operator can tap out by foot, or otherwisesignal the Morse or other code so that the desired message is quicklylit up or displayed. In fact, an operator can soon learn which buttons,for example, to signal, for instance, by pressing a pedal, to cause thedesired characters or letters to light up or otherwise appear on thereadout panel without even having to know the Morse code. In otherwords, the operator himself or herself may actually originate thesignals. Furthermore, any handicapped person having a yes or no outputcan operate the machine of the invention, which has the furtheradvantage of being electrically operable.

A still further advantage of my tree counter is that it offers storageof a serial code with fewer, more economical components. My counteroffers direct conversion to binary letter codes and is stored inindividual characters for direct usage if desired. Timing and controlcircuitry are greatly simplified over prior art systems. Word andcharacter timing is universal and adjustable to a users needs.

More specifically, my invention may employ a simple three-positionswitch, viz, left-center-right, left for dot and right for dash.Individual character indicator lamps are arranged in what may bedescribed as an inverted tree configuration, such as depicted in FIG. 6of the drawing, to be described hereinafter, on a front panel whichpermits them to be readily observed by the user.

Left and right locations are maintained such that an E may be readilyobserved as a dot, or one operation of the left switch. Likewise, A maybe readily observed upon operating one left switch and then one rightswitch. With this physical configuration by means of character indicatorlamps, for example, an operator does not have to have a rotememorization of the Morse code to operate the communicator. This featuremay be further reinforced by using squares around the character lamps toindicate dashes and circles to indicate dots. Colors on the switches andlamps may also be used to greatly reduce learning time.

My invention constitutes an improvement on prior artdecoding-storage-readout or like communication, translation or readersystems in that my tree-counter configuration provides a direct,economical light output which advises an operator of the real timestatus. It also offers storage of a serial code with fewer, moreeconomical components. Conversion with the tree counter offers directconversion to binary letter codes and is already in individualcharacters for direct usage, if desired. Timing and control circuitryare highly simplified. The word and character timing is completelyuniversal and adjustable to a users needs. As already suggested, mydevice is capable of using a threeposition switch, that is, aleft-center-right, the left for dot and the right for dash, thus makingit ideal for learning and for the handicapped. Dot and dash detectorsare eliminated, thereby reducing cost. Multivibrators may be used tosend multiple dots and dashes, thereby aiding an operator further. Thetree-counter configuration, a read-only memory (ROM), or a diode matrixprovides improved means to convert a serial asynchronoustelegraphic-type code to a serial synchronous and parallel code forcommunication functions, enabling use of conventional multicharacterprinters or displays.

The control and logic configuration or circuitry provides easy access byan operator to the tree counter for easier learning, storage, display,and communication, for example, when using the Morse code.

According to the invention, gated multivibrators (dot and dash) provideautomatic, precisely timed and spaced long or short tones for the aid ofthe operator. These signals may be adjusted in terms of speed to suitthe needs of the operators physical ability and learning level. Thesystem may be adjusted to whatever timing the operators ability or thespeed of the incoming signals permits. Also, with my system, two switchinputs may be adjusted toalmost any person who can communicate yes andno if the letter and word space is provided by appropriate adjustableelapsed timing. The control timing and logic circuit employsconventional solid-state logic building blocks.

Dots and dashes may be sent both automatically, for example, uponsending a dot tone, or manually, by the operator pushing the switch byhand or foot, according to the invention. For example, the dot switch,which may be operated automatically, sends one dot and a space. Keepingthe dot switch closed sends a series of dots with the required spaces. Achange to the dash switch after any number of dots sends a trailingdash, or series, again with the required spaces. The spaces provided bytiming in multivibrators are element spaces. That is, they are equal tothe space times for the dot and dash elements of a character. At thesame time a dot or dash tone is output to the user, a short pulse issent to a tree-counter circuit such as described hereinafter. Theseshort pulses may be dot, dash, or reset start in any desiredcombination.

Further, according to the invention, a manual reset may be provided tocorrect an error by the user before multicharacter display or printing.This is activated by closing both dot and dash switches simultaneously,thereby causing a tone longer than a dash and advising the user thatboth switches have been closed, also providing a reset pulse to startover in the tree-count storage. This mode can also be used to send aspace (blank) to the printer or multicharacter display.

An elapse timer may be used for the printing functions by accumulatingtime after the last dot, dash, or reset. This elapse time may beequivalent to the character space of the Morse code and also madeadjustable for the users needs. The print signal may be fed to themulticharacter display or printer at the end of the elapse time.Accordingly, the tree counter system of the invention, for example, forthe character A, which is dot-dash in Morse code, can be implemented bysending a dot which activates the character E, followed by a dash, whichmoves the tree counter to character A. For A to be printed, the dashmust be sent before the character elapse time is completed. Thus, asalready suggested, the timing can be adjusted to a length commensuratewith the ability of the operator and does not require a high degree ofprecision.

'At the end of the elapse character time, a tone tic (shorter than adot) may be sent to advise the operator that a pring has occurred. Thispermits maximum learning in terms of user proficiency and speed and useby a blind or other seriously handicapped person.

After a pring signal, a reset pulse is automatically sent. This restoresthe tree counter to a blank/start mode.

Among other features of the invention is the advantage that a secondelapse time greater than the character elapse time may be included toprovide an automatic space for words if a dot or dash is not sent in theadjustable time. This affords flexible usage. For example, by waitingout the second elapse time, the space or blank is sent followed by atone tic. If a new character is started before the second elapse time iscomplete, the space is not sent.

The basic storage or latching circuits of the tree counter system of theinvention provide for storage by locking on to the character requiredand turning on a series circuit indicator light in an individual anodecircuit. The on condition of the storage-latching device allows anindividual character to be output in electronic terms since the anodepulls to a low voltage through its load, the indicator light orresistor. Other circuits, for example, silicon controlled rectifier(SCR) forming unused characters in this mode, are off, the indicatorlamps are off(current low), and the anode voltages are high" for theoutput. High or low anode voltages may also be used according to theinvention to form the unique parallel binary code output and outputindividual character information.

Gate controlled, storage-latching and turn-off circuitry has a furtheradvantage in that it economically handles the high power required forindicator lamps and storages without complicating interfacing circuitryand logic.

The preceding and other features and advantages of the invention willbecome more apparent from the following brief description of the drawingand of certain preferred embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING In the drawing,

FIG. 1 is the block diagram of a system according to the invention. 7 I

FIG. 2 is a schematic depiction of one form of input control and logicaccording to the invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic depiction of the circuitry of a representativetree system of the invention.

FIG. 4 depicts diagrammatically a storage circuit simplification of atree counter such as that shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a diode matrix and logic for a sixbitbinary output circuit useful according to the invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a tree count sequence according to theinvention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In the exemplary embodiment ofthe invention disclosed in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, dot switch 1 and dashswitch 2, as operated, provide full control and operation of thecommunication system of the invention using telegraphic-type code.Switches 1 and 2 act on control input and logic circuits 3 to performthe necessary operations of the system. More specifically, theseswitches each act on resistor-capacitor networks 4 and 5 whereby noisessuch as contact bounces and erratic operations are filtered out by theelectrical time constant of the network. Dot imputs on switch 1 causesagated dot-multivibrator 6 to oscillate, sending a signal to its output8, a preset, precisely timed dot-mark and space which is adjustableinternally in the electronic circuit. If dot switch 1 is opened beforethe first markspace cycle has ended, only one dot is sent. If dot switch1 is still closed by the operator at the end of a first dot mark-spacecycle, a second dot mark-space is sent and so on. Gateddash-multivibrator 7 and output 9.0perate in a like manner. The dot markand dash mark are adjusted internally in the electronics of themultivibrators to provide a dash mark longer than a dot mark so thatthey may be distinguished by the user. The spaces can also be adjustedto suit the user.

Output 8 of dotmultivibrator 6 is also connected to inhibit 11 of thedash-multivibrator. Output 9 of dashmultivibrator 7 is also connected toinhibit 10 of the dot-multivibrator. Inhibits 10 and 11 prevent a dashmark from beginning before the last dot mark-space cycle has ended andprevent a dot mark from beginning beforethe last dash-mark space cyclehas ended. Dot and dash outputs 8 and 9 from themultivibrators are alsoconnected to a dot one-shot l2 and a dash, oneshot 13. One-shots 12 and13 form a dot pulse on dotpulse line 14 anda dash, pulse on dash-pulseline 15. Dot and dash mark-space signals 8 and 9 are also connected toan OR-gate 16 (positive logic) which is output at 17 to a second OR-gate18, which connects to a tone oscillator l9 feeding a speaker 20. Toneoscillator 19 and speaker 20 function to provide an audible tone withany one or all of the following signals: dot-mark,

dash -mark, long tone reset mark, and tie mark for print before aprintout occurs. For example, AND-gate 21 connected to both dot and dashinputs, after noise filtering, acts on a timer manualreset 22, whichprovides a long tone (by adjustment, longer than a dash) to advise theoperator that thissfunction has occurred, this long tone to be providedthrough OR-gates l6 and 18 to tone oscillator 19 and speaker 20.

A manual reset timer 22 also outputs a signal at 23 through OR-gate 24,to a reset timer 2 5 and one-shot 26, a reset pulse at reset line 27 toreset-TREE-counter 32 tothe starting condition, thus'allowing errorcorrection in the telegraphic code by and for the operator. Output 17 ofOR-gate 16 feeda signal to an inverter 28, which sends spaces, inpositive logic, to a print-timer 29. This is the elapse timeaccumulation from the last dot mark, dash mark or long reset markthrough OR- gate 16., When adjustable print-timer 29 times out, a signalis sent to one-shot 30, causing a print signal on print line 31 and to am ulticharacter printer or display 33. This functions to print an extraspace,vor, if a dot/- dash input is provided before the print-timer 29elapses, a new character isprinted or displayed.

Output 17 of OR- gate 16 alsofeeds a signal to inverter 34 whichprovidesan elapse time through space-, timer 35 to one-shot36 to result in aspace signal on space line 37, and to a multicharacterr printer anddisplay 33. This time is adjusted longer than the printelapse time andmay be used to automatically send one space used for a word space.

Print line 31 and space line 37 are also connected to OR-gate 18 andproduce the tic, a very short tone, through oscillator 19 and speaker toadvise the operator that a print and then a space have occurred.

A connection 38 is provided from print timer 29 to the OR-gate 24 toreset timer 25, one-shot 26 and reset line 27 to TREE-counter 32. Thisautomatically resets the tree counter at the end of the print cycle on acharacter.

The complete asynchronous operation of the input control and logic issuch that all useful communication described above can be performed byan operator using dot switch 1 and dash switch 2, suitable waiting timeor elapse time, and necessary adjustments.

I At this point in the configuration, the function flow is asynchronousdata. Thus, storage of the asynchronous ,serial code which includes theaforementioned dot pulse 14, dash pulse 15, and reset pulse 27 isrequired. TREE-counter 32 'of FIG. 1 is also asynchronous in functionand performs the data storage or memory. The data from the TREE-counter32 are output as characters on lines 38 to diode matrix or so-calledread-only memory (ROM) 39. The characters are converted to binary codeappearing on lines 40 andinput to a printer or display 33. I

Referring next to FIG. 3, the tree-counter configuration disclosed andillustrated features seven similar circuits. These circuits tree-countone at a time in a definite sequence as controlled by dot-pulse line 14,dashpulse line 15 and reset pulse line 27, This is what I prefer to calla tree-count sequence. As each circuit turns on, the last circuit turnsoff. each circuit turning on latches in its proper sequence and remainson until forced off by the turn-on action of the next count.

Whilethe illustration of circuits in FIG. 3 employs seven circuits,three or more circuits are useful in tree counting according-;:to.theiinvention. In' FIG. '3, seven and may be used with nine storagecircuits 43, 42s, 4211, 42r, 42w, 42d, 42k, 42g, and 420 of FIG. 4. Seealso Tables I and II which follow. These may be employed so i as to form63:characters on a binary output, using a trated in FIG. 5.

a In using a tree counter according to the invention,

one may employ the seven circuits of FIG. 3, sequencing or countingthrough each ,circuit one at a time, starting at the outset at circuitblank 41. Each count turns-on the next circuit and turns off the lastcircuit. The next circuit to be turned on is selected by a logicfunction inherent in the on circuit and the dot or dash pulse lines 14or 15. A reset pulse on line 27 will return the on to the blank circuit41 from any other circuit. Each circuit is interconnected to perform thetree counting or sequences upon command of pulse lines 14, 15, and 27.With respect to blank circuit 41, the circuit contains a gatedcontrolled latching device 44, with a gate or input 45, and anode 46,and a cathode 47. The anode to cathode is the major electric path ofgated controlled latching device 44. Device 44 is off at the outsetandturns on by action of an input pulse at gate 45. This also latcheselectric-currentwise, thus holding until force d to release by reducingthe major currentto zero. Capacitor 48 passes a reset pulse on line 27to gate 45 at the outset, turning on blank 41, latching the majorcurrent. path, plus potential 49, through indicator lamp 50, anode 46tocathode 47 of the device.44 to ground 51 zero potential. Characterindicator lamp 50 and device 44 form a major power path, thus providingthe useful functions of direct character indication of blank, Withoutinterfacing, performing the storage of this character by a latchingaction (each circuit does the same). Also blank is output at terminal52for other uses. This output is low because voltage or potential dropthrough indicator lamp 50 acts as a load resistor caused by the oncurrent. Before blank is on, the lamp, acting as a pull-up resistor,causes the voltage at terminal 52 to be high because the current is zeroin the'off case.

The other circuits of FIG. 3 contain gated-controlled latching devices441', 44e, 44a, 44n, 44t, and 44m for like purposes. They also containindicator lamps 501', 50e, 5011, 50n, 50!, and 50m for idividualcharacter indication. Each circuit also contains output terminals 521,52e, 52115211, 52: and 52m.

The tree counter of the invention has the inherent ability in terms ofpower and configuration to directly indicate the character stored and tooutput this infor' mation or data for further use. Each circuit has itsown and T 421 circuits are readied for a following count. I

421', A 42a, N 4211 and M 42m circuits are not readied because resistors56, 57, 58 and 59 are high due to anodesiof circuits E 42e and T 421being high. Therefore,

circuits,421', 422, 42a,.4l-;.42n, 42:, and 42m are shown with blank 41on, a dot pulse on line 14 will pass through diode 60e andcapacitor 61e,turning on an E 42e cirucit or character. A dot pulse does not passthrough 'diodes 601', 60n, or 62 as they are reversebiased in terms ofthe high level of voltage carried by resistors 56, 58, 64, and 65.

In like manner, when the blank is on at the outset, selector resistors57, 59, 64, and 65 allow only the T 421 circuit to be turned on with adash pulse on line 15, the diodes 60a, 60m and 63 not passing the pulse.Only diode 60r and capacitor 61! pass the pulse. In like manner, theselection with E 42e on becomes 421 with the next dot, or A 42a with thenext dash. With T 421 on the next selection becomes N 42n, with the nextdot, or M 42m with the next dash. Diodes 601, 60a, 6011, and 60m andcapacitors 611, 61a, 6ln, and 61m are used in these counts in the manneralready described.

Reset pulse line 27 is not prevented from turning on blank 41 circuit atany stage of the count, thereby resetting the count from any character.The count may be stopped at any character to allow the elapse timer toperform a print of the desired character followed by the reset.

The tree-counter of FIG. 3 ends at the I 421', A 4211, N 42n, or M 42m(second count level) and may recycle by a third count level back toblank 41. After the third count level, the seven circuits of FIG. 3 willsequence as before. This is performed by resistor 65 blocking dot anddash pulses through diodes 62 and 63 and capacitor 66 by resistor 64also being high when E 4212 or T 421 are on. When the count reaches I,A, N or M, diode 67, 68, 69, or70 pull resistor 64 low and thus allowdiode 62 or 63 to pass a dot or dash, thereby turning on blank 41through capacitor 66. The count then can recycle as before.

This recount feature is intended to implement the 63- characterrepertoire of Tables I and II, which follow, and is used in conjunctionwith a nine-character storage such as that of FIG. 4 to perform this.This feature is useful in a data management scheme according to theinvention.

TABLE I 81 1 13 A BLANK N T M 80 START 1 E A (BLANK) N T M s 11 4 s v 3u 1= u 7 2 R L R w P w 1 1 D 6 B D x K c K Y o 7 Z o Q O 8 O 9 :11

TABLE ll 81 1 E A BLANK N T M 110 START 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 s 8 16' 24 32 404s 56 u 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 R 17 1s 19 20 21 22 23 w 25 2s 27 2s 29 31131 1) 33 34 35 36 37 3s 39 K 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 G 49 50 51 52 53 54 55o 57 5s 59 60 6l 62 63 The configuration of FIG. 3 has also a turn-offfunction of the last character or circuit. Every circuit has a capacitorconnection (anode-to-anode) which performs the turn-off function. Withblank 41 on, the anode-to-anode capacitor 71e is charged such that if E42e turns on, the voltage at anode 46 is forced low,

thereby turning off blank 41. All of these circuits function in a likemanner, using turn-off capacitors 710, 7 l t, 711, 71a, 7111 or 71mduring counting and turn off ca pacitor 721, 72a, 72n or 72m duringreset. Accordingly, only one circuit in FIG. 3 is on at a time.

The nine storage circuits of FIG. 4 are illustrative of animplementation of the data management scheme of aforementioned Tables Iand II. These circuits are like those of FIG. 3 except for theinterconnection configuration, the nine circuits being start 43, S 425',U 4211, R 421', W 42w, D 4211, K 42k, G 42g, and O 420. Each circuitcontains gate-controlled latching devices 74, 74s, 7411, 74r, 74w, 74d,74k, 74g, and 740 which are respectively used on FIG. 3. Indicator lampsfor nine circui'ts Start 75, S 75s, U 7511, R 75r, W 75w, D 75d, K 75k,G 75g, and o 750 are also used.

Referring again to FIG. 4, at the outset, a reset pulse on line 27causes start 43 to turn on through capacitor 73 (at the same time Blank41 of FIG. 3 turns on). The selector resistors 76s, 7611, 76r, 76w,7611, 76k, 76g, and 760 of the storage circuits are connected to anodeoutput terminals I 521', A 52a, N 52n, and M 52m of FIG. 3, so that thestorage circuits of FIG. 4 count only at a third level of dot-and -dashpulses on lines 14 and 15 respectively. The dot-pulse line 14,dash-pulse line 15, and reset-pulse line 27 of FIGS. 3 and 4 are common.Therefore S 425' will turn on if I 421 is on, the selector resistor 76sbeing low, and a dot-pulse is sent online 14. S 42s remains on untilreset by start 43 circuit.

If I 421' is on after the second level count, only selector resistors76s and 7611 of FIG. 4 are low. Therefore, a dot on line 14 at the thirdlevel count will turn on only S 42s of FIG. 4 through diode 77s andcapacitor 78s. Likewise, a dash on line 15 at the third level count willturn on only U 4211 of FIG. 4, through diode 7711 and capacitor 7811.The circuit S 42s or U 4211, once turned on, will remain on until reset.

lf'A 42a is on after the second level count, only selectorresistors 76rand 76w of FIG. 4 are low. Therefore a dotfon line 14 at the third levelcount will turn on only R 42r-of FIG. 4 through diode 771' and capacitor78r. Likewise a dash on line 15 at the third level count will turn ononly W 42w of FIG. 4 through diode 77w and capacitor 78w. The circuit R42r or W 42w once turned on, will remain on until reset.

If N 42n is on after the second level count, only selector resistors 76dand 76k, of FIG. 4 are low. Therefore, a dash on line 15 at the thirdlevel count will turn on only K 42k of FIG. 4 through diode 77k andcapacitor 78k. The circuit D 42d or K 42k once turned on will remain onuntil reset.

If M 42m is on after the second level count, onlyselector resistors 76gand 760, of FIG. 4, are low. Therefore, a dot on line 14 at the thirdlevel count will turn on only G 42g of FIG. 4 through diode 77g andcapacitor 78g. Likewise, a dash on line 15 at the third level count willturn on only 0 421), of FIG. 4 through diode 770 and capacitor 780. Thecircuit G 42g or O 420 once turned on will remain on until reset.

Also as S 425', U 4211, R 421', W 42w, D 42d, K 42k, G 42;; or O 420turns on, Start 43 is turned off by capacitor 79s, 7911, 79r, 79w, 7911,79k, 79g, or 790. These capacitors also turn off S, U, R, W, D, K, G, or

O on reset when start 43 turns on.

At the third level count, the tree counter of the configuration of FIG.3 returns to blank 44 as previously explained, and will tree count againthrough E, I, A, T,

N, and M. Thus, counting through Levels I to 5, two circuits are alwayson, one in FIG. 3 and one in FIG. 4, describing the 63 characterrepertoire of Tables I and II aforementioned.

A stop count circuit (not shown) may be included to limit the tree countat Level using the output of Start 43, I 421', A 42a, N 4211 and M 42mof FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 in conjunction with a logic gate configuration tofur- The intersection of the two character circuits that are 5 therinput inhibits on lines and 11 of FIG. 2. on describes the desiredcharacter of the 63-character repertoire. For example, if character I isdesired. two Th 16 i di lamps f h i i i FIG 3 d dots are Input y theOperator and the end of the FIG. 4 display to the operator the status ofthe charac- L l 42i and Start 75 are AS 18 Confirmed y ters stored.Changes or corrections may be made be- Table I aforementioned, row 80 isstart and column 81 10 f th h cte i rinted or di layed on a multiis I.Therefore, the character assignment in this particu- Character te latinstance would be I at this intersection. This combination forms abinary output of 1 according to Table II Further, the panel board may bearranged in a manwherein is shown a representative binary output codener which greatly simplifies the learning of a code such for'a treecounter according to the invention, and by as Morse, and the need forrote memorization ofa code the configuration of FIG. 5. by the user iseliminated, as will be seen more clearly As a further example, if H isdesired, four dots are from a study of FIG. 6 and Table III, whichfollows and input by the operator, thereby counting to circuits S whichshows one tree counting sequence for a full or 42s and E 420 which areon. The row 80 and column general tree counter according to theinvention.

TABLE III TREE COUNTING SEQUENCE FOR FULL TREE COUNTER OUTPUT COUNTLEVEL (NO. OF DOTS ORDASHES IN CHARACTER) ASCII C HARAC MORSE- START lst2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th CODE TER CODE A (BLK), E, A. I B (BLK), T, N, D, B.2 C (BLK), T, N, K, C. 3 D (BLK), -T, N, D. 4 E (BLK), E. 5 F (BLK) E,I, U, F 6 G (BLK), T, M, G. 7 H (BLK), E, I, S, H. 3 I (BLK), E. l. 9 J(BLK), E, A, W, J. 10 K (BLK), T, N, K. 11 L (BLK), E, A, R, L. 12 M(BLK), T, M. 1 N (BLK), T, N. 14 0 (BLK), T, M, O. 15 P (BLK), E, A, w,P. 16 Q (BLK), T, M, G, Q. 17 R (BLK), E, A, R. 1 s (BLK), E, I, S. 19 T(BLK), T. 20 U (BLK), E, I, U. 2l v (BLK), E, I, s, v. 22 w (BLK), E, A,w. 23 X (BLK), T, N, D, X. 24 Y (BLK), T, N, K, Y. 25 Z (BLK), T, M, G,.*Z. 26

1 (BLK), E, A, W; J, 1 49 2 (BLK), E, I, U, 2 50 3 (BLK), E, I, S, V, 3SI 4 (BLK), E, I, S, H, 4 52 5 (BLK), E, I, S, H, 5 53 6 (BLK), T, N, D,B, +6 54 7 T, M, G, "*7 55 8 (BLK), T, M, O, 8 56 9 T, M, O, 9 57 (BLK),T, M, o, 48

(BLK), E, A R, i 46 m (BLK), T, M. G. z. 44 (BLK), E, I, U, 63 Otherspecial characters ca use the remaining combinations. XX (BLK) None(BLK). 32

81 intersection become character H ofTable I, wherein is given a typicalcharacter assignment for a tree counter according to the invention. Thebinary output shown in Table II is 16 for the H assignment. It should benoted a count level of 0, l, 2, 3, 4, or 5 will define all 63 characterassignments of Table I and all binary outputs of Table II.

A two-character indication of FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 is di rect for blank, E,T, I, A, N, M, S, U, R, W, D, K, G, and 0, often used letters. Otherletters become obvious when using a simple memory aid. For example, H,being dot-dot-dot-dot in Morse code is formed by SE, the S beingdot-dot-dot and the E being dot. It would only be necessary to rememberthat H was S followed I herein above to the desired character. As onecircuit Further, it should be noted that all printer and multi characterdisplays 33 have special functions such as bells, line space, erase,back space, etc. These can be.

implemented by using outputs of special character assignment such asthose shown in Tables I, II, and III as hereinabove.

From the preceding description it can be readily seen that combiningFIGS. 2, 3, and 4 forms a 63-character system of unique economy wherebytwo circuits may always be on so as to define a character in the mannerindicated in the pattern of Tables I and II. Of course, the circuitrymay be extended or reduced to any desired count level or characterrepertoire.

Referring again to FIG. 5, and additionally to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, usingdiode matrix 82 and 92 connected to the anodes of an individualcharacter output of FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 results in direct and economicalconversion to parallel binary data such as those shown in Table II, witha unique representation for each character to be used for data transferaccording to the invention.

With respect to the aforementioned converting tree counter output tobinary code, FIG. 5 shows a major current path for circuits I 42i, E426, A 42a, Blank 41, N 42m, T 42! and M 42m of FIG. 3 output to a diodematrix 82. This diode matrix is further output on 3-bit binary lines 83,84 and 85. These binary lines are connected to three NOR gates 86 andthrough three inverters 87 to lines 88, 89, and 90. These lines areonehalf the representative special binary code, namely line 88 bit 1,line 89 bit 2, and line 90 bit 4. The other inputs of NOR gates 86 areconnected through diode 91 to start circuit 43, via line 80. If startcircuit 43 is on, gate controlled latching device 74 conducting, thendiode 91 allows NOR gates 86 to control lines 88, 89 and 90 via diodematrix 82. Diode matrix 92 is not in use when circuit start 43 or S 42sis on. When start 43 is off, gates 86 and diode matrices 82 no longercontrol binary lines 88, 89, and 90, bit 1, bit 2, and bit 4 as line 80is high. With start 43 off, inverter 93 and line 81 allows the three NORgates 94 to control binary lines 96, 97 and 98, bit 8, bit 16, and bit32 by diode matrix 82 through the three inverters 95. The diode matrix92 can control binary lines 88, 89, and 90 at any time through drivers99. The configuration of FIG. 5, the stored output of the 16 latchingcircuits, diode matrices 82 and 92, NOR" gates 86 and 94, diode 91,inverter 93, drivers 99, and inverters 95, and 87 provide a binaryoutput such as represented on Table II herein above. The data remainpresent until the circuits are reset. Then the binary data reverts backto a blank binary code. This special binary code may be converted tostandard binary data such as ASCII with a read-only memory. I

The 6-bit binary data may be converted by a read only memory 39 tostandard binary data required on lines 40 of FIG. I of the particularprint or multicharacter display 33 used.

Referring now more specifically to the full tree counter of FIG. 6, thecount starts at Blank (BLK) 41 and progresses through the sequence perTable III turns off, a new one turns on. The. count or sequence is thesame as for the tree counter shown in FIG. 3 for circuits Blank (BLK)41, E 42e, T 42!, l42i, A 42a, N 42n, and M 42m.

In Table IV herein above, each circuit indicated in the left columnpermits selection of the corresponding circuit on the next right column,per the dot or dash signal input on the next count.

Each of the circuits may be the same as the basic circuits of FIG. 3.Alternatively, other storage devices such as flip-flops with a simplelogic turn-off may be used according to the invention. Indicator lampsof the tree counter of FIG. 6 may be arranged on the panel board so asto aid learning, for example, the dots being a left operation and dashesa right operation as shown by arrows 114 and 115, respectively.

The output terminal of the tree counter of FIG. 6 may be connected to adiode matrix of any specific binary code desired, for example, the ASCIIalready mentioned.

In the representative tree counter system which I have foundparticularly useful according to the invention of FIG. 6, thetree-counting sequence is as follows:

I. A reset pulse (automatic from the control or at user choice) sets thestart/blank storage/latching device and lamp on and the data outputlines are in the electronic configuration of the blank code for themulticharacter printer and display device used.

2. The next input (dot or dash) pulse feeds all /z-dot and /2-dash) gatecontrolled circuits, but only one acts on the circuit readied(programmed) by the logic resistor. In this particular example, only theE and T circuits are readied. Thus, if a dot is pulse, the E turns on,and, if a dash is sent, a T turns on. When the E or T turns on, thecircuit action also turns off the start/blank circuit. Thus, either E orT is stored, and, if the print time elapses either E or T is printed.This result is followed by an automatic reset t0.start/ blank positioncaused by the control timer.

3. The second dot or dash selects either [or A if the, firstelement-pulse was a dot, or either Nor M if their; element pulse was adash. Thisturning off the E or T insures that only the desired letter ison and only the desired individual letter is output to the printer ormulticharacter display.

4. The third, fourth, and fifth dot or dash selects a character based onprevious dot and dashicor'nbi -nations in like manner. Simplecalculation shows five count levels of dots and dashes in a 63-characterrepertoire which is adequate for most 'applications. However, thecircuitry may be extended or reduced to any desired count levelorcharacter repertoire. I i y t A 63-character treecounter such as'explained herein above may be simplified by usingthe seven characters ofdot-dash countlevels" twice and adding eight or nine storage circuitsat'a third count' level. This involves simply splitting the start. andblank indicator and circuits and meansthatsize, cost and circuitry canthus be reduced. Such a simplified version requires only 15 or 16circuits. I

ln such a simplified tree counter (special treecounter) there are twocharacters or indications at all times. Thus characters areformed by twolights. A is formed by start'and A beingon. B (which'isdash-dotdot-d'ot) is formed by D, and E being ong'whereas D isdash-dot-dot followed by E, which is' dot. Thus B is formed by a simplememory aid.

Seven tree counting circuits according to the system of the invention,assuming Morse code, include blank count level); E and T (1st countlevel); and l, A, N and M (2nd count level). Nine storage circuits maybe represented by start, S, U, R, W, D, K, G, and 0. Except for thestart circuit which is used at the outset of the counting cycle, ninestorage SCR circuits are used only after the third count level of dotsand dashes.

The individual character outputs may be interfaced directly to someavailable printers or multicharacter displays, or a read-only memory(ROM), may be used to convert to the code required such as ASCll shownin Tables I and ll, herein above.

Tables I and ll show the assignment for 63 characters in terms of 16storage latching device circuits. The circuits of the tree counter (I,E, A, Blank N, T, and M) and the other circuits (Start, S, U, R, W, D,K, G, and 0) provide 63 characters. The letters, numbers and punctuationof the standard Morse code are shown at the proper combinations of thetwo circuits that are on. For example, start/blank is on after a resetor at the outset. This yields blank from Table l and outputs a 6-bitbinary 4 similar to that depicted on Table ll. Other characters areformed by other combinations. An asterisk or star hereinafter referredto as a miscellaneous character, indicates that other symbols may beassigned to correspond to the type printer or multicharacter displayused. Table 1 below shows these unique 6-bit data in negative logicafter the l6-line output of the tree count-storage circuits passesthrough two 3-bit diode matrices and a simple logic circuit. The first3-bit matrix outputs l, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 in binary code for the l,E, A. blank, N, T, and M circuits respectively. The S circuit switchesthe logic to outputs 8, 16, 24, 32, 40, 48, and 56 on the l, E, A,blank, N, T, and M respectively, as shown in the drawing to be describedhereinafter. U. R, W, D. K, G, 0, add to the above first 3-bit by 8,16,24, 32. 40, 48 and 56 respectively in the second 3-bits. This 6=bitoutput may be converted directly to the 6-bit code standard used in theprinter with a ROM.

While the invention has been described in terms of preferredembodiments, the claims appended hereto are intended to encompass allembodiments which fall within the spirit of the invention.

Having thus'described my invention and certain preferred embodimentsthereof, I claim:

l. A systernfor converting no more than three different signals into astored representation of at least seven characters comprisingsensingmeans responsive to said signals for discriminatingbetween said signalsand storing characters indicated by said discriminating between saidsignals, storing means responsive to said sensing means for'holding acharacter represented by one of said signals if the same signal or asecond different signal is not sensed within a predetermined timefollowing said sensing of said one signal, further storing meansresponsive to said sensing means for holding a character represented bya second of said signals or a character represented by sensing said oneand-then said second signal following 'said sensing of said one ifanother signal is not sensed within the same or a differentpredetermined time, a plurality of additional storing means responsiveto said sensing means for holding additional characters represented byone or more of said signals in any particular order of said one or moreof said signals aftersaid predetermined time has elapsed, correctionmeans associated with said plurality of sensing and storing means forerasing the holding of one or more or all of said characters andadditional correction means associated with said plurality of sensingand storing means for resetting to blank by erasing all characters heldprior to said erasing, said system permitting storage of at least 7characters by said sensing and discriminating between said no more thanthree different signals.

2. The system of claim 1 additionally having means for indicating saidstored characters upon a display panel at the time of storage orsubsequent to said storage.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein said stored characters are output viaelectrical lines to a diode matrix where they are converted to a binarycode and input to a printer or display.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least two different signalscomprise a dot and a dash.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein said means for storing charactersindicated by said dot comprise a gated dot multivibrator having apreset, timed dot-mark and space-mark output, said means for storingcharacters indicated by said dash comprise a gated dash multivibratorhaving its own preset, timed dot-mark and space-mark output, said outputof said dot multivibrator being connected to an inhibit of said dashmultivibrator and said output of said dash multivibrator being connectedto an inhibit of said dot multivibrator, said outputs of said dotmultivibrator and said dash multivibrator being connected to respectivedot and dash oneshots, respective pulse lines for pulsing dots anddashes from said one-shots thereon, said dot and dash outputs beingconnected electrically to means for producing sensible signals for dots,dashes, erasure and resetting to a blank and a spacing tic.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein said sensible signals are audible.

7. The system of claim 5 wherein said sensible signals are visible.

8. The system of claim 5 wherein said sensible signals are both audibleand visible.

9. The system of claim 5 wherein said dot and dash outputs are connectedto said means for producing sensible signals by an OR-gate arrangementconnected to a tone oscillator which feeds a speaker.

10. The system of claim wherein said dot and dash outputs are connectedto said means for producing sensible signals by an OR-gate arrangementconnected to lights on a display panel for flashing charactersrepresenting one or more of said dots and dashes according to aparticular order of one or more dots or dashes or of one or more dots ordashes followed by one or more additional dots or dashes.

11. The system of claim wherein said signals are Morse code signals.

12. The system of claim 10 wherein said characters comprise letters ofthe Arabic alphabet and a blank.

13. The system of claim 10 wherein said characters comprise letters ofthe Arabic alphabet, a blank, a miscellaneous character and numbers 1through 9.

14. The system of claim 10 wherein the characters comprise letters ofthe Arabic alphabet, a blank, miscellaneous character, numbers 1 through9, a period, a comma and a question mark.

15. The system of claim 10 wherein said characters comprise l5.

16. The system of claim 10 wherein said characters comprise 63.

17. A process for reception, storage and display of Morse or other codewhich comprises transmitting code signals via respective gatedmultivibrators, thereby causing them to oscillate in the order ofreception of signals indicating transmission of dots and dashes,thereupon sending signals to their respective outputs for dots anddashes, by means of timed inhibits preventing a dash from being storedbefore a predetermined dot space cycle has ended and preventing a dotvacters are visibly displayed by passing them via electrical linesthrough a tree-counter to a diode matrix where they are converted to abinary code which is input to a printer or display.

1. A system for converting no more than three different signals into astored representation of at least seven characters comprising sensingmeans responsive to said signals for discriminating between said signalsand storing characters indicated by said discriminating between saidsignals, storing means responsive to said sensing means for holding acharacter represented by one of said signals if the same signal or asecond different signal is not sensed within a predetermined timefollowing said sensing of said one signal, further storing meansresponsive to said sensing means for holding a character represented bya second of said signals or a character represented by sensing said oneand then said second signal following said sensing of said one ifanother signal is not sensed within the same or a differentpredetermined time, a plurality of additional storing means responsiveto said sensing means for holding additional characters represented byone or more of said signals in any particular order of said one or moreof said signals after said predetermined time has elapsed, correctionmeans associated with said plurality of sensing and storing means forerasing the holding of one or more or all of said characters andadditional correction means associated with said plurality of sensingand storing means for resetting to blanK by erasing all characters heldprior to said erasing, said system permitting storage of at least 7characters by said sensing and discriminating between said no more thanthree different signals.
 2. The system of claim 1 additionally havingmeans for indicating said stored characters upon a display panel at thetime of storage or subsequent to said storage.
 3. The system of claim 1wherein said stored characters are output via electrical lines to adiode matrix where they are converted to a binary code and input to aprinter or display.
 4. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least twodifferent signals comprise a dot and a dash.
 5. The system of claim 4wherein said means for storing characters indicated by said dot comprisea gated dot multivibrator having a preset, timed dot-mark and space-markoutput, said means for storing characters indicated by said dashcomprise a gated dash multivibrator having its own preset, timeddot-mark and space-mark output, said output of said dot multivibratorbeing connected to an inhibit of said dash multivibrator and said outputof said dash multivibrator being connected to an inhibit of said dotmultivibrator, said outputs of said dot multivibrator and said dashmultivibrator being connected to respective dot and dash one-shots,respective pulse lines for pulsing dots and dashes from said one-shotsthereon, said dot and dash outputs being connected electrically to meansfor producing sensible signals for dots, dashes, erasure and resettingto a blank and a spacing tic.
 6. The system of claim 5 wherein saidsensible signals are audible.
 7. The system of claim 5 wherein saidsensible signals are visible.
 8. The system of claim 5 wherein saidsensible signals are both audible and visible.
 9. The system of claim 5wherein said dot and dash outputs are connected to said means forproducing sensible signals by an OR-gate arrangement connected to a toneoscillator which feeds a speaker.
 10. The system of claim 5 wherein saiddot and dash outputs are connected to said means for producing sensiblesignals by an OR-gate arrangement connected to lights on a display panelfor flashing characters representing one or more of said dots and dashesaccording to a particular order of one or more dots or dashes or of oneor more dots or dashes followed by one or more additional dots ordashes.
 11. The system of claim 10 wherein said signals are Morse codesignals.
 12. The system of claim 10 wherein said characters compriseletters of the Arabic alphabet and a blank.
 13. The system of claim 10wherein said characters comprise letters of the Arabic alphabet, ablank, a miscellaneous character and numbers 1 through
 9. 14. The systemof claim 10 wherein the characters comprise letters of the Arabicalphabet, a blank, miscellaneous character, numbers 1 through 9, aperiod, a comma and a question mark.
 15. The system of claim 10 whereinsaid characters comprise
 15. 16. The system of claim 10 wherein saidcharacters comprise
 63. 17. A process for reception, storage and displayof Morse or other code which comprises transmitting code signals viarespective gated multivibrators, thereby causing them to oscillate inthe order of reception of signals indicating transmission of dots anddashes, thereupon sending signals to their respective outputs for dotsand dashes, by means of timed inhibits preventing a dash from beingstored before a predetermined dot space cycle has ended and preventing adot from being stored before a predetermined dash space cycle has ended,and storing said dots and dashes as specific characters according to theorder received by a known code.
 18. The process of claim 17 wherein thecode is the Morse code.
 19. The process of claim 17 wherein said storedcharacters are visibly displayed by passing them via electrical linesthrough a tree-counter to a diode matrix where they are converted to abinary code which is input to a printer or display.